Illustration and Visual Narrative [Project 1]

Illustration and Visual Narrative [Project 1: Vormator]

27 September 2023- 18 October 2023/ week 1- week 4

Rafa Maritza Hertrian/ 0364958

Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

Illustration and Visual Narrative 

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Table of Contents 

1. Lectures 
2. Instructions
3. Reflection 

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Lectures 

Week 1 [INTRODUCTION]

In this session,  the lecturer talked us through all the topics and assignments that should be completed through all the assignments. Below are the assignments that were introduced

1. Task 1: Continuous Exercises
2. Task 2: Composition Continuous 
3. Task 3: Collaborative work
4. Task 4: E-Portfolio 

Week 2 [CHARACTER DESIGN]

The fundamental knowledge of creating characters was introduced in this lecture. We were shown cartoon characters that we saw a lot in movies such as Disney or Cartoon Network. From there we can see how the characters do not have proportions that are correct based on real human beings but they are purposely designed with distinct shapes to make them memorable to the audience. 

Figure 2.1 Character design example (adventure)

3 things need to be highlighted when creating a stylized character. 

1. Iconic: recognizable feature from the character 
2. Simplicity: details will make characters a lot harder to remember. 
3. Unique: what makes the character different from other characters 

Aside from these, there are also PRINCIPLES OF CHARACTER DESIGN

Figure 2.2 Principles of Character Design

1. Shape: characters with simple shapes such as squares, circles, and triangles could support simplicity because those basic shapes will always be the most familiar in our mind
2. Color: this will probably be the main feature that makes a character catch people's eyes. Colors can also represent a character's personality. 
3. Emphasis, and contrast: This includes the features that are pointed out from the character. This can include hairstyles, accessories, or outfits. 
4. Harmony: The balance of all traits which all the characters have to support their persona
5. Expression, poses: This can refer to the personality building of the characters

Week 3 [CHIAROSCURO]

We were introduced to making a more organic shape using the free-form tool. The theme for the week is Chiaroscuro, which translates to light and dark. This is a theme to learning how to create a 3d illusion using light and shadow, this is also called clear tonal contrast

Figure 3.1 Still Life with Fruit (Caravaggio, 1601)

• Purpose: increase the scene's dramatic tension by using contrast 
• Tenebrism: predominantly dark setting 
• Usually, the focus point/ subject of a scene is illustrated with brighter colors 
• Lowkey Lighting: emphasizing more on the contour 

Figure 3.2 Barry Lyndon (Kubrick, 1975)

Why Chiascuro is Used in Visual Narrative

1. Increase dramatic tension: creates a thrilling feeling to the scene
2. Create sensational effect: elevate fantastical viewpoint 
3. Attract Attention: justify visual hierarchy (the main point usually contrasts from other elements
4. Make a Tasteful composition: negative vs positive spaces create an attractive scene 

Week 4 [Compostion Theory]  

To effectively arrange elements for a composition is to set them up with meaning.  It is also important to arrange the focus point of a scene even in a subtlest manner. 

Basic composition visual rules 

1. Visual Narrative: A composition needs to complement the subject focus and reflect the narrative. (pay attention to the emotion of the scene). 
2. Visual Flow: see the scene through the audience's eyes. 
3. Visual Hierarchy: Visualize and focus

Different types of shots 

• Establishing: wide shots are used to establish the setting and location while still giving information about the narrative of a scene

Figure 4.1.1 Wizard of Oz (MGM, 1939)

• Bird's eye-view/ overhead shots:  POV taken above the subject. Taken around a 90-degree angle above the scene taking place. 

Figure 4.1.2 The Avengers (Marvel Studios, 2012)

• Frame within a frame: Framing the focus scene with other elements. This can fracture screen space, add depth, and create visual interest. 

Figure 4.1.3 Mulan (Disney, 1998)

• Medium shot/ Three-quarters shot:  frames the three-quarters of the character

Figure 4.1.4 Titanic (1997)

• Close-up: commonly used in an intimate moment. Framing directly to the character's face to give a highlights of their expression so the audience can easily capture their information. 

Figure 4.1.5 Get out (Universal Pictures, 2017)

• Worms's eye view: Scene captured from the characters below. 

Figure 4.1.6 The Avengers: Age of Ultron (Marve Studios, 2015) 

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Exercises 

Exercise 1 

We were taught how to use a pen tool from 'The Bezier Game". Learning this tool is important because this tool can be handy in Adobe Illustration and Photoshop. 

Figure 1.1 (09/27/2023) The Bezier Game practice

Exercise 2 

Figure 2.3 Vormator Shapes

The image above is called the Vormator shape. We were asked to trace these 8 simple shapes in Adobe Illustrator. For this task, I applied pen tool skills I had just learned from the Bezier game. 

Figure 2.4 Vormator Shapes practice 

 

Exercise 3

In this task, we were told to trace an organic shape from a pear image provided. This exercise aims to learn to create 3D illusions by contrasting light and shadow. We were also taught how to use knife tools to make creative cutting designs of the pear. 

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Figure 3.3 Chiaroscuro pear practice

Exercise 4

The level of complexity is higher in this exercise. Basically, we were assigned to do another chiaroscuro practice using a more detailed image, which is a person. There will be more texture and organic form. We were also taught how to mask a texture in a color-fill to add more aesthetics. 

Figure 3.4 Chiaroscuro person practice and texture

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 PROJECT 1 

The goal of this project is to design a character using the vormator shapes that have been mentioned earlier and also apply the knowledge about character design that has been acquired. 

 Below are the rules for designing characters using shapes. 

1. rotating and flipping the shapes is allowed
2. using the same elements over and over is allowed
3. it is required to use all the elements
4. scaling is allowed in a proportionally way 

Figure 4.2 Character Design 1 and 2

I have created two designs. The first one is a more friendly-looking character and the second one is my experimentation on making a more intimidating one. I tried to keep both designs as simple as possible so it is more memorable. After thinking for a while, I felt like I was more invested in the second design. Therefore, I chose that character to proceed with this project. 

Figure 4.3 Character Design Revision

Then I continued to revise the second design. I decided to change the color to a more neutral tone because I felt like the tone would give the character more of a mysterious impression which is the trait that I was aiming to give to my character.  

Figure 4.4 Character Design Outline

Figure 4.5 Vormator shapes used

Figure 4.6 Final Character Design

After creating a character, we were instructed to create a background for it. This will be used to create a costumed Pokemon-inspired card. This is also necessary to put in our knowledge about character design because it is suggested to consider the character's traits 

Since my character is not based on any common creatures from Earth I got the idea to make the character come from another planet. Therefore I decided to make the background look like outer space. 

Figure 4.7 Background Design

I used pen tool, curvature, and several shapes like stars and circles. I also apply texture. 

Figure 4.8 Vormator Character with Background

Figure 4.9 Final result Pokemon card 

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REFLECTION 

Experience

As someone who only ever does illustration on paper, getting a chance to learn to make illustrations through digital tools is very intriguing. Even though the outcome might look similar, creating illustrations on paper and digital is a whole different feeling. While doing all the exercises and projects, I got the same emotion as when I first learned how to draw, which is very inspiring. Doing project one is also one of the few times I take character background narrative into consideration so this practice helps develop my creative thinking skills. 

Observation

Characters are more attractive if it is more memorable to the audience. In other words, it is important to apply simplicity. 

Finding

Creating a character is not just as simple as making it look visually pleasing but it is also important to construct the harmony of its traits, emotion, personality, and story with its appearance.